Mike Jones joins Angel Nieto Team in Australia

Australian rider to line-up alongside Abraham in place of Bautista, who moves across to the factory Ducati team to replace Lorenzo

Home rider Mike Jones will join the Ángel Nieto Team at Phillip Island, the Australian stepping into the team to replace Álvaro Bautista, who in turn will cover for the injured Jorge Lorenzo at Ducati.

Born in Brisbane (Australia), Jones will be contesting his home Grand Prix for the second time, having taken a fifteenth-place finish there in 2016 on just his second appearance in this category. This weekend he will ride the Ducati GP16 normally ridden by his new team-mate Karel Abraham, whilst the Czech rider will ride the Ducati GP17. 

Mike Jones: “ I’m very excited and grateful to race with the Ángel Nieto Team at my home race of the MotoGP™. Phillip Island is a circuit that I know well and enjoy very much. I look forward to learning step by step throughout the weekend and ultimately riding to the best of my ability”.